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US Medicine · 2027 Entry

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) Medical School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location Los Angeles, CA, United StatesEstablished 1951Interviews (2027 entry) October 2026–February 2027Decisions (2027 entry) March 30, 2027

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Overview

About David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD)

The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA is a leading public medical school located on the UCLA campus in Westwood, Los Angeles. The school is affiliated with UCLA Health, one of the top-ranked hospital systems in California. Its clinical training spans a population covering every demographic and disease profile.

UCLA particularly excels in health equity research, surgical innovation, and biomedical technology.

What makes David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) different

UCLA's PRIME track (Programs in Medical Education) offers focused tracks in rural/underserved medicine, global health, and urban underserved communities — a distinctive feature for socially motivated applicants. The school's size and Los Angeles location provide exposure to one of the most diverse urban patient populations in the country.

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 4-year MD. Years 1–2: DGSOM PRIME ("Programs in Medical Education") track available alongside the standard curriculum. Early clinical exposure through the Learning Communities model. Years 3–4: clerkships at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, UCLA Santa Monica, Olive View–UCLA, and affiliated community hospitals.

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) research strengths

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) is strong in these research areas:

  • Cancer research
  • Neuroscience
  • Health equity
  • Transplantation
  • Infectious disease

How the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) interview runs

Format: Two ~30-minute one-on-one virtual interviews (open file); MMI used only for the PRIME-LA pathway

Standard MD-track applicants complete two ~30-minute virtual one-on-one open-file interviews with faculty or admissions committee members. The 8-station campus MMI described in older UCLA materials now applies only to the PRIME-LA pathway.

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) intake

Approximately 175 students per year.

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) at a glance

Founded in 1951. Based in Los Angeles, CA.

Programmes offered:

  • Surgery
  • Oncology
  • Neuroscience
  • Health Equity
  • Biomedical Technology
Entry requirements

What you need to apply to David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD)

Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. California residents receive moderate preference as a public UC school. Research experience, community service, and clinical exposure expected. Secondary application required.
MCAT median
519 (range 514–524)
GPA median
3.85 overall / 3.83 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
3.0%
Class size
175
In-state preference
Moderate — some OOS consideration
In-state matriculants
65%
CASPer
Not required
AAMC PREview
Required
Holistic review emphasis
Diversity, community service, health equity, and research in a public university context.
Notes
MCAT/GPA approximate from DGSOM class profile. In-state preference reflects UC public mandate.
Specialities offered
Surgery, Oncology, Neuroscience, Health Equity, Biomedical Technology

MCAT, GPA, acceptance-rate and class-size figures are taken from David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA's published admissions data. Class profiles are republished each year — confirm which entering class these numbers describe before you rely on them.

Working towards the MCAT score David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) expects? Build a week-by-week plan from your test date — free for the first two weeks.

Interview

How David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) interviews applicants

Format
Two ~30-minute one-on-one virtual interviews (open file); MMI used only for the PRIME-LA pathway
Interview window (2027 entry)
October 2026–February 2027
Decision date (2027 entry)
March 30, 2027
Tutor insight
UCLA's MMI often includes health equity and community medicine scenarios that reflect the school's public mission. Prepare examples showing genuine engagement with underserved populations or advocacy work. As a public school, California residency is a real advantage. Out-of-state applicants need an MCAT and GPA at or above the national T20 range to compete. The PRIME track is highly sought-after. If social medicine fits your career goals, tailoring your application to show specific commitment to underserved communities will meaningfully help your candidacy.
Practice

Practise for your David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank621 medicine questions inside

Interview questions matched to David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD)

Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.

MediumPanelQ1

Service Orientation: Rural Medicine and Workforce Shortage

HRSA designates thousands of geographic areas as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), and rural communities face a documented primary care physician deficit expected to worsen through 2030. You grew up in a rural area and have watched family members drive two hours for specialist care. You are interviewing at a school with a rural medicine track.

An interviewer asks: 'What makes you certain you will actually practise in a rural setting, and what would make you change your mind?'

Likely follow-up · What specific aspects of rural practice — clinically, professionally, and personally — have you investigated to understand what you would be committing to?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
MediumPanelQ2

AAMC Core Competency: AMCAS Personal Statement and Written Communication

Your AMCAS personal statement (5,300 characters) is the only piece of unstructured writing admissions committees will read from you before the interview. What is the purpose of the personal statement in the holistic review process, and what distinguishes a memorable personal statement from a forgettable one?

Likely follow-up · What are the most common mistakes applicants make in their personal statements?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
Get support

Apply to David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) with confidence

We've helped students into David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) and other US medicine schools — get tailored support for each stage of the application.

Sources

Where David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD)'s figures come from

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA's official course page was opened and reconciled with this record on 14 August 2026. Figures the school does not publish on that page remain unconfirmed.

FAQ

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) — frequently asked questions

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) matriculants have a median MCAT of 519. The middle range of matriculants is 514–524. US schools publish medians rather than cut-offs, and committees review holistically — the MCAT is weighed alongside GPA, clinical and research experience, letters of recommendation and secondary essays.

Apply to David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) with confidence

We've helped students turn their MCAT, personal statement and interview prep into offers from David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (MD) and other US medicine schools.